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What Causes Pain In The Upper Back And Hip?
Question: I am 68 yrs young. Spinal fusion in 1990's...recently I have been experiencing pain in my upper back when I turn to the right side and pain in my hip on my right side. I don't know if it is relevant but my scar from my surgery has started to itch like something is healing. I do take bp med, thryroid med n Chlosterol med. I have recently changed back to pravastation due to weakness in legs associated with Lovastatin. Is there anything that could cause the onset of this problem?
Brief Answer:
Further work up is needed.
Detailed Answer:
Hello, Madam.
I can certainly understand your concerns.
I have worked through your query in detail.
The upper back ache and hip pain your case need further evaluation.
Sometimes even lovastatin can also contribute to muscle damage and pain.
Likewise, it's also important to screen for residual or new onset spinal cord disease post spinal fusion.
Hence you need screening for these two possible issues responsible for causing pain.
For this I advise you to get a Serum CPK MM and MB isoenzyme levels to rule out statin induced muscle damage and an MRI spine to assess for the presence of spinal cord disease.
Further management is largely based on the test results.
In case if CPK is found to be elevated on blood screening, it's important to stop Lovastatin under a physician guidance.
Post your further queries if any.
Thank you.
Further work up is needed.
Detailed Answer:
Hello, Madam.
I can certainly understand your concerns.
I have worked through your query in detail.
The upper back ache and hip pain your case need further evaluation.
Sometimes even lovastatin can also contribute to muscle damage and pain.
Likewise, it's also important to screen for residual or new onset spinal cord disease post spinal fusion.
Hence you need screening for these two possible issues responsible for causing pain.
For this I advise you to get a Serum CPK MM and MB isoenzyme levels to rule out statin induced muscle damage and an MRI spine to assess for the presence of spinal cord disease.
Further management is largely based on the test results.
In case if CPK is found to be elevated on blood screening, it's important to stop Lovastatin under a physician guidance.
Post your further queries if any.
Thank you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
I contacted my dr and she switched me back to Pravastatin which I was previously taking without any problems. I started back on Pravastatin on 4/25/16 under her care. I did not mean that I changed meds w/o her authorization. I have an apt on 6/2/16 for semi-annual blood work. I printed our your reply and will take with me. I am curious of you mentioning spinal cord disease post spinal fusion...is this a possibility when the spinal fusion was done in the early 1990"s. I do take Diclofenac for arthritis when it becomes bothersome. This med does not alleviate the pain so would that rule out arthritis in my spinal cord?
Brief Answer:
Remote Spinal fusion also has a propensity to cause New onset Spinal diseas
Detailed Answer:
Hello, Madam.
I can certainly understand your concern.
Changes wrt Pravastatin are acceptable.
The possibility of degenerative spinal cord disease and Vertebral column arthritis is high in post fusion States in the remote period. Hence evaluation for the same is advisable.
An arthritis of Vertebral column does not always respond to Diclofenac.But ruling out spinal disease on this fact seems unwise.
Further accurate management is based only on the test results.
Post your further queries if any.
Thank you.
Remote Spinal fusion also has a propensity to cause New onset Spinal diseas
Detailed Answer:
Hello, Madam.
I can certainly understand your concern.
Changes wrt Pravastatin are acceptable.
The possibility of degenerative spinal cord disease and Vertebral column arthritis is high in post fusion States in the remote period. Hence evaluation for the same is advisable.
An arthritis of Vertebral column does not always respond to Diclofenac.But ruling out spinal disease on this fact seems unwise.
Further accurate management is based only on the test results.
Post your further queries if any.
Thank you.
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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